StressFULL or StressFREE?

Are you managing the stress in your life or is it in control of you?

Stress is at all an all time high and it’s still going up. At 47%, employees in Australia and New Zealand have the second highest level of stress globally!*. And, burnout has doubled in the last year alone** - that’s a lot right?!

Stress is a massive health risk - physically and mentally. So, how can you get through these tough spots in one piece?

You may not be able to control what’s going on around you BUT you can manage how you handle stress.

The managers and leaders I work with have different types of stress in their lives for some it’s working with difficult customers and colleagues. Or, the play between work and personal life. For others, it’s learning how to stay focused and grounded inspite of all the external distractions especially the ones they can’t control. Or, pushing through their self-doubts to show-up with self-assurance and confidence.

Sometimes, you might not even be aware that what you are experiencing is stress because it’s hidden behind a habit: like needing a drink after work, missing meals and snacking on junk food, going to bed late every night (trying to delay tomorrow morning) …

Let’s talk about how stress can show up in your life:

10 signs YOU are stressFULL

  1. Feeling overwhelmed … a lot!

  2. Unhealthy eating - it works both ways too much or too little

  3. Drinking to decompress

  4. Feeling emotional: angry, frustrated, upset, irritable, anxiety, outrage

  5. Symptoms of depression, sadness, flatness

  6. Experiencing body pain and tension e.g. neck, shoulders, stomach

  7. Poor sleep

  8. Feeling meh: tired, listless, low energy

  9. Feeling lonely, disconnected, unseen

  10. Losing your motivation and sense of purpose

If you recognise any of these and they are happening on a regular basis it’s time to take action and get yourself out of the cycle of stress and into a calmer place.

So, what can you do NOW to start managing your stress and feel better?

Feeling stressFREE starts with putting YOU first!

Did you know that feeling stressed comes from placing too much of your attention on what is going on around you? Start focusing your attention back on YOU to create a calmer life with you calling the shots.

Here’s 10 tips to get your started:

  1. Set clear boundaries, this starts with learning how to say no

  2. Make time for your interests and what lights you up

  3. Get to bed early e.g. by 10pm

  4. Cut-out weekday drinking - yep wine, beer, G&Ts, etc.

  5. Eat healthy - wholefoods with colour, nothing brown or in a packet!

  6. Build practices like yoga, meditation and breathing exercises into your daily life

  7. Move everyday: walk, run, dance, cycle, lift weights, stretch, pilates

  8. Make time for friends and family: the ones who make you smile and laugh!

  9. Journal what you are feeling and get it out of your head

  10. Ask for help!!

When you are talented, successful, and driven to reach your goals sometimes it can feel like stress is something you have to put up with BUT here’s the thing it isn’t. When you focus on your mental and physical health and put yourself front and centre everything else falls into place.

If you are stuck in a stress cycle and aren’t sure how or where to start making changes in your life, get in touch. I help individuals, teams, managers and leaders manage stress to feel calmer, happier and be more successful.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Rhi x

* State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report, Gallup

** 2023 State of the Future of Work, University of Melbourne

Rhian ThomasComment